Red Sox, Angels, Brewers interested in Ryan Dempster

With Zack Greinke's asking price this winter seemingly historical, many teams are turning their attention to the next tier of starting pitchers available on the market -- a tier that includes Ryan Dempster. Per FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, the Boston Red Sox, Los Angels Angels and Milwaukee Brewers are interested in the right handed free agent.

Dempster was acquired by the Texas Rangers from the Chicago Cubs, and pitched poorly in the AL West. After going 5-5 with a 2.25 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 104 innings with the Cubs, Dempster went a deceiving 7-3 (reason No. 42,987 why pitcher's records are meaningless), with a 5.09 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in 69 innings. Dempster surrendered 10 home runs with the Rangers.

Rosenthal states that Dempster is seeking a three-year deal, which seems fairly risky for a pitcher that will turn 36 in May. Dempster's struggles in the American League make him a poor fit for either the Red Sox or Angels -- but that hasn't stopped either team from spending recklessly the last few years.

If someway, somehow, Dempster ends up with the Angels, then that could be a huge win for the Rangers. Instead of re-signing Greinke, who looks like he'll be a Dodger, the Angels could end up settling for Dempster, after dealing Ervin Santana and declining Dan Haren's option, just to make room for Greinke.

Yikes.